Dennis Kucinich And Connie Pillich Both Announce Running Mates

By the end of the week, all five Democratic gubernatorial candidates will have announced their running mates, as former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich introduces his pick for lieutenant governor just one day after former state Rep. Connie Pillich announced her choice.

Kucinich announced his selection of Akron councilwoman Tara Samples as his running mate, calling her "dynamic" at a event at the Burning Bush Church in Akron on Friday.

On Thursday, Pillich chose Scott Schertzer, the mayor of Marion and president of the Ohio Municipal League, as her lieutenant governor pick. Schertzer says he and Pillich have something in common.

“I’ve been very successful in a red/purple county,” Schertzer said. “As a Democrat, I’ve done very well in my mayoral races and city council races. And I think I have a deep understanding and appreciation for the needs, wants and concerns or rural voters.”

Schertzer also has a background in public education – he taught for 13 years before becoming mayor of the Central Ohio city 10 years ago.

Candidates in the Ohio governor race have until February 7 to declare their candidacies, name running mates and gather required signatures.

Kucinich and Pillich are part of a crowded field of Democrats, which include state Sen. Joe Schiavoni, former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau chief Richard Cordray, and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neill. Former U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton and Dayton mayor Nan Whaley were also running, but Sutton joined Cordray's campaign as his running mate, and Whaley dropped out to endorse Cordray too.

Only Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor are left on the Republican side of the field. Of the Democratic and Republican campaigns, every ticket has at least one woman on it—except for DeWine.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Mary Taylor has reached beyond the stable of professional politicians to choose Nathan Estruth, a Cincinnati-area businessman and social activist as her running mate.